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Jaina Path of Purification (Liberation)
97
reflection has been described as a means of samvara (the cessation of the inflow of the karmic matter.)
Bondage and Liberation The well-known statement occurring in the Maitrī Upanișad declares that the mind alone is the cause of man's bondage as well as liberation. Mana eva manusyānāṁ kāranam bandhamokşayoḥ. The declaration is true. It means that inauspicious mental states cause the bondage of inauspicious karmic matter, and auspicious mental states cause the bondage of auspicious karmic matter. But attachment-free pure mental state cause no bondage whatsoever. In case the activities are caused and guided by the attachment-free mental state or pure (passionless) affection, karmic bondage is not effected by such supremely pure mind; on the contrary, on account of such supremely pure mind the supreme state of Ultimate Release is manifested. This is the reason why in the above quoted half-verse mind is regarded as the cause of liberation also.
From this follows that it is not a rule that activity invariably causes bondage, activity can never cause bondage if it is not urged by the mental states of attachment and aversion. The Omniscient One stands, sits, speaks, walks, etc. like an ordinary man and performs other activities too, yet he does not bind any karma (the pleasure-giving karma which is bound for a moment being insignificant is to be neglected) because he is free from attachment. One who is really free from attachment is affectionate towards all beings, a friend of the entire world. The Omniscient One can never be inactive; on the contrary, he remains always engaged in the pure passionless activities. His activities are caused by the attachment-free mental state (passionless universal affection) and hence they do not cause bondage of karmas.
It is true that to perform activities without attachment and with pure universal affection alone is possible only in a supreme spiritual state. Again, it is also true that even those who have made just an ordinary progress on the path leading to that state find it very difficult to attain it. Yet to attain this difficult goal, one should make gradual progressive attempts in its direction.
The auspicious mental state which causes bondage of auspicious karmic matter is associated with attachment. And attachment invariably goes with aversion. Where there is attachment, there are selfishness, partiality, indifference to the good of others—however little they may be. And hence
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